Edition 54

Principal's Message

This will be our last newsletter for the 2024 school year.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank our community for their support as we continue to grow.  We started our school year with 544 students and end the year with 596 students. At present, we are expecting to start the year with around 720 students.  This is a growth of over 500 students since 2022!

Staffing Changes

 2025 will see changes to staffing as we welcome a number of new staff and farewell a few. Miss Nina Van and Ms Naomi Martin leave us at the end of this year for new adventures. On behalf of the Everleigh State School community, I wish them the very best.

Mrs Tania Wheaton will be joining a new school in 2025. Mrs Wheaton is a foundation staff member and has contributed positively to our school over the course of the last 3 year and will be sadly missed. I wish her all the very best.

I would like to wish Mrs Davis and her family all the very best for the new year as they welcome a new addition to their family.  Mrs Davis will be taking all of 2025 to be a mum and will return in 2026.

Both Mrs Brooke Robinson and Mrs Annabelle McCleod will join us for a short time in the new year before they both take leave to also welcome new additions to their growing families.

We are expecting to have 32 classes in 2025. With such growth, this means we welcome a number of new teachers to our school. In 2025, we welcome the following teaching staff:

• Ms Kez Coumbis
• Mrs Lily Hird
• Miss Rebecca Phillips
• Ms Tayla Truman
• Ms Tameeka Crawford
• Mrs Fiona Berry
• Mrs Deb Hanson
• Miss Dinelli Guruwela
• Mr Damion Douglass
• Mr Adam James

I am sure our community will make all of our new staff feel very welcome in the new year.

Stage 2 Completion

While Stage 2 is set for completion by the end of this year, it is unfortunately not ready to welcome new families. Mrs Harker and Mr Waugh are working with staff to ensure some form of a Shuffle Up session as per our Term 4 calendar to provide students the opportunity to meet their 2025 teacher and classmate. Information will be shared in due course.

I can assure you that Stage 2 classrooms will be ready to go for the commencement of the 2025 school year.

Pedestrian Access from Anderson Drive in 2025

There will be changes to the way in which Platypus pick up and drop off will operate in the new year. A new pedestrian entrance within in Stage 2 will be the designated entry and exit for pedestrian traffic, with the Platypus zone to be only be used for students being dropped off and picked up. Fencing will be erected across the garden bed between the Platypus drive through and footpath.  This exit will not be used to access vehicles parked on Anderson Drive.  I will provide further details in the new year.

Year 6 Graduation

On Tuesday morning, we celebrate and farewell our Year 6 students at their Graduation. Many of our graduating students have been with us since 2022 as Foundation Year 4 students.

End of Year Concert

I was so very proud of the effort from both staff and students at our End of Year concert last Thursday. Thank you to all of the families who were respectful during the performances and waited until the end of the night to collect their children.

I was extremely disappointed by the disrespectful behaviour of the small number of families who inconveniently left the concert during performances and when our Student Council were drawing the raffles. I understand the difficulties of a later night with young children; however, we had many staff who either had their young children with them, or made alternative arrangements in order to be present at this event.  I was saddened that such a great night of performances was marred by the disrespectful behaviour of a few.

Our staff appreciated the support from those families who stayed to enjoy the whole concert and were respectful in following their requests to wait until the end.

Carpark safety

Unfortunately, I was advised of a very close call in our Kangaroo drop off zone on Wednesday morning. Please slow down and work together to keep our students safe.

End of year processes

All formal activities end on Friday 6 December. From Monday 9 December until Friday 13 December, alternative activities will take place. Years 1, 3 and 5 continue swimming on Monday and Tuesday, and Year 6 students who have been invited to attend, will spend Thursday at Wet n Wild. During the last week of the school year, students may not be in their regular classroom with their regular classroom teacher, as we facilitate a large-scale relocation of classrooms within A Block and our new build, B Block. It is anticipated that Prep to Year 2 students will remain in A Block, and Years 3 to Year 6 will relocate to our new B Block.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our community a very safe summer break. Best wishes to our Year 6 students for their journey to high school in 2025. To our families moving on at the end of this year, thank you for your continued support and I wish you every success in the future.

Deputy Principals' Message

Celebration of Learning Afternoon

Celebration of learning afternoon will be held at 1:45 PM on the 3^rd of December. This is a chance for you to celebrate your child’s learning achievements with them. You will be able to view your child’s learning folio with them and you can also engage in some classroom activities. We look forward to seeing you on this day.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful and relaxing break and thank you for all your support throughout the year.

Message From The Executive Services

STUDENT FINANCE

Year 6 Wet & Wild invoices have been emailed and are now due for payment. Please contact school administration officer if clarification is required.

2024 SRS invoices are overdue for payment.  Please pay immediately if you have not already done so.

Year 6 Students Leaving:

We will be sad to say farewell to our wonderful year 6 cohort at the end of this term. Families should have already received a leaving form to complete and return to the office. We kindly ask that you return them as soon as possible so we can enter their new school details into the system, ready for us to depart them at the end of term. Thank you to those families who have already returned this.  If you have not received one, please contact the office.

Student Absence Procedure

If your student will be absent, parents/carers have a legal obligation to notify the school office, including advising the reason for the absence. We kindly request you let us know by 9am on the day of the absence. We have two preferred methods for advising absence:

1. Via the Q-Parents App – please see reception if you require information on this.
2. Via our dedicated Student Absence Line – (07) 2899 5160, where you can leave a message any time of the day or night. Please save this number in your phone.

Reminder: You will also need to advise YMCA if your child is booked in and will be absent.

YMCA absences should be advised before 2:15pm via email aev@ymcabrisbane.org or via text or phone call 0459 905 087.

Don’t forget to also cancel your canteen order if you have pre-ordered ahead: (07) 2899 5125

Change of contact details:

Please advise Executive Services if any of your details have changed. For example:

• Address
• Best contact phone number
• Work details
• Emergency contacts other than parents/carers

Please pop into the office to complete a change of details form, or email admin@everleighss.eq.edu.au to update your details.

Spare change of clothes reminder

If your child has borrowed spare shorts from the office, please return them as soon as possible, as we have completely run out at the moment.

Please ensure you pack a spare change of clothes in your child’s bag just in case. Please include underwear, black shorts/skort and socks.

Uniform Donations

If you are leaving ESS and would like to donate your uniforms to the school we would be very happy to accept donations of shorts/skorts at the office. Other uniform items can be given to our Guidance Officer to support families in need.

Lost property

Name labels make all the difference in helping us to returned lost items to the correct students. We kindly remind parents to name jackets, hats, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc. We really appreciate your assistance with this. Any item that is labelled gets returned directly to the classroom.

All previously unclaimed and unnamed school jackets have been given to our guidance officer to distribute to families in need. If you believe you have lost an unnamed jacket, please advise as soon as possible.

All unclaimed, unnamed items are disposed of or donated at the end of each term.

Message From The Head Of Department - Curriculum, Ms. Tanya Conway

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the incredible achievements of the Everleigh State School community this year. Together, staff, students, families, and carers have shared a journey of growth, resilience, and celebration, making this year truly memorable. 

Our teaching staff have worked tirelessly, engaging in intensive planning and professional development to refine their knowledge and skills. This dedication has ensured that every classroom is a place where students are challenged, inspired, and supported to achieve their best. The thoughtful collaboration among staff has been pivotal in shaping meaningful learning experiences for all students, making their growth and success our shared goal. 

Throughout the year, students have enjoyed enriching excursions and incursions, designed to bring their learning to life and deepen their understanding of the world. These authentic experiences have not only expanded their vocabulary but also sparked curiosity and engagement in their units of work. From hands-on workshops to exploring the world beyond the classroom, these moments have left lasting impressions on our learners. 

Our community has demonstrated incredible flexibility in response to the school’s continued growth in student numbers. Teachers, support staff, and the Executive Leadership Team have shown remarkable adaptability, working together as a united team to ensure every student feels supported and valued. This strong collaboration has also extended to supporting families and carers, reinforcing the vital partnership between school and home. 

Personally, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire Everleigh community for welcoming me so warmly into the school family. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this amazing school, and I am truly excited about the opportunities 2025 will bring as we continue to grow and thrive together. 

Finally, I wish everyone in the Everleigh community a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a safe, restful holiday period. May you all enjoy this special time with family and friends, recharging for another wonderful year ahead. 

Thank you for an outstanding year, and I look forward to working alongside you all in 2025! 

PBL Focus Weeks 9 & 10 - "RESPECT" - From The PBL Team

Library News

Music Notes From Mrs Chivers

Everleigh Christmas Party & Fireworks Extravaganza - Saturday, 30th November, 2024

Everleigh SS - Canteen Message

The canteen will be open up to the last day of school, the 13th December.

ONLINE ORDERS ONLY BEFORE 9AM.

SORRY, NO EXCEPTIONS on the last Friday for late orders.

LIMITED STOCK is available.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Regards,

TOM & ANN’S

UMS Uniform Shop News

YMCA Everleigh OSHC - Vacation Care

GREENBANK RAIDERS - 2025 SEASON

Want to be a Greenbank Raider in 2025!  

If you are keen to join our ruby league family, don't wait. Scan the QR Code and ensure you follow our Facebook page for all updates on registrations, sign-on, training and competition details. We are shaping up for an incredible 2025 season and we would love for you to be a part of it.

The Greenbank Raiders is more than a footy club, it's a Family! 💚🖤

SHARKS VOLLEYBALL - Upcoming January School Holiday Program - HOLIDAY PASS

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Don't miss this chance to sharpen your skills and stay in the game this holiday season. Let’s ace it!
www.sharksvolleyball.com/holiday-pass